New bathroom fixtures, chairs, windows, landscaping and asphalting. Just what a homeowner needs to fix up the house?
Yes, but they’re also among the many exterior and interior projects that River Forest Elementary School District 90 intends to complete over the next five years.
With an estimated price tag of $3.44 million, the range of projects was unveiled before the board of education on Feb. 16.
The district elected to spread out the costs of the work over five years because much of it is done during summer break. Approximately 95 percent of the money will come from the Operations and Maintenance Fund, said Anthony Cozzi, the district’s director of finance and facilities.
Almost three-quarters of the total amount will be spent for projects that are or will be out for bid this winter; much of the work will be completed at Roosevelt Middle School:
On March 1, the board of education is expected to vote on a bid for the school’s long-anticipated exterior project. Cost estimates for that has been placed at $1.85 million.
Later in March, the district will seek a bidder to install air conditioning in the auditorium. Cost estimate is $307,000.
In late March or early April, lighting and ceiling materials will be replaced in six classrooms and three hallways. Cost estimate is around $80,000.
Beyond what has already been bid out, the district will spend another $559,600 at Roosevelt for:
Replacing windows, 2017-2018.
Improving acoustics in the band room, 2017-2018.
Replacing HVAC univents, 2020-2021.
Replacing bathroom fixtures, 2017-2018.
Cozzi said the Roosevelt projects are important because summer school will return to the middle school next year for the first time in several years. In 2012, major construction took place there, including the addition of new classrooms, a new north façade, plus a renovated learning center and band room. From 2013 to 2015 summer school also was relocated in anticipation that the exterior project would be completed. Summer school this year will be at Lincoln.
Over the next five years, approximately $352,900 will be spent for Lincoln Elementary and the administration building for:
New shrubs in front of the principal’s office and trees in the kindergarten playground, 2016-2017
Tuckpointing, 2016-2017
Installing new windows in the gymnasium and the administrative center, 2018-2019
Sealcoating and striping the staff parking lot and playground and the exterior by the gym, 2018-2019
Replacing desks, chairs and other classroom furniture.
Willard, meanwhile will undergo projects estimated at $212,500, including:
Installing new concrete stairs and a new concrete ramp, 2016-2017
Replacing acoustical ceiling and painting ceiling, 2016-2017
Painting all classrooms and hallways over two years, 2018-2019, 2020-2021
Adding new classroom fans, 2020-2021
Replacing desks, chairs and other classroom furniture over a five-year period.
Each school also will get a new washer/dryer in the maintenance area in 2016-2017.
None of the money will be set aside for classroom space associated with full-day kindergarten. Despite some intense lobbying from a group of parents, the board of education turned back a request to start a program during the next school year.
